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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Rajasthan Global Investment Summit was held from 9th to 11th December 2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the 3 days Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 (RRGIS 2024) and the Rajasthan Global Business Expo on 9th December 2024 at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) in Rajasthan.
- The summit was conducted for three days from 9th December to 11th December 2024.
- The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024, is based on the theme- ‘Replete, Responsible, Ready’.
- Rajasthan Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) of over Rs 35 lakh crores during the Rising Rajasthan Global Summit 2024.
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has approved the development of 2GW (GigaWatt) or 2000 MW(MegaWatt)Solar Park project of Rajasthan Solar Development Corporation in Rajasthan.
- Tata Power has announced an investment of Rs 1.2 lakh crore in Rajasthan in various renewable energy related projects.
About Rajasthan:
Chief minister – Bhajan Lal Sharma (Constituency- Sanganer)
Governor– Haribhau Bagade
Capital– Jaipur
National Parks – Mukundra Hills National Park, Ranthambore National Park, and Sariska National Park
>> Read Full News
Uttar Pradesh becomes first state to fully adopt GeM
In December 2024, Uttar Pradesh (UP) has become the first Indian state to fully adopt the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform with an aim to achieve transparency and eliminate unethical practices in public procurement.
- As per an official estimate, the state government is expected to save over Rs 2,000 crore annually through GeM-based procurement of goods and services.
i.The integration of the GeM platform in UP enforces strict adherence to guidelines aimed at fostering transparency and efficiency in procurement processes.
ii.The policy mandates that no conditions contrary to GeM rules are permitted, prohibiting practices like price discovery bids, offline contracts, and quantity-based bids, along with restricting the request for samples during bid evaluations.
>> Read Full News
ISR 2025 : Employability among Indian graduates improves to 54.81%; Maharashtra topped
According to the 12th edition of the India skills Report (ISR) titled “India Skills Report 2025:Global Talent Mobility-India’s Decade” released on 12th December 2024, 54.81% of Indian graduates are expected to be globally employable by 2025, increase from 51.2% in 2024, indicating a 7% rise.
- Maharashtra(84%) has topped in the India Skills Report 2025 for employability, followed by Delhi (78%), Karnataka (75%), Andhra Pradesh, AP (72%), Kerala(71%) and Uttar Pradesh, UP(70%).
- The list is topped by Gujarat in Men and AP in Women.
Note: The employability among graduates for the year is calculated from the Global Employability Test (GET) in the previous year.
i.The “ISR 2025” was published by talent assessment agency Wheebox in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and Taggd (knowledge partner).
ii.The report is based on data from over 6.5 lakh candidates who participated in the Global Employability Test (GET) across India and insights gathered from more than 1,000 companies spanning 15 industries.
About Maharashtra:
Chief Minister (CM)- Devendra Fadnavis
Governor– C. P. Radhakrishnan
Capital – Mumbai
>> Read Full News
Punjab:1st state to enact Development and Promotion of Sports Act 2024 
On December 9 2024, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann has given approval to enact the ‘Punjab State (Development and Promotion of Sports) Act 2024’, becoming the 1st state in India to promote the enhancement of sports infrastructure and transparency in player selection.
- As per the National State Policy (NSP) 2024, the initiative aims to establish a legal framework that adopts National and International best practices to drive the development of sports within the state.
- The primary objectives of the Act include promoting the growth of sports, ensuring the fair selection of players at district, state and national levels and also fostering transparency within sports associations.
- The act mandates that accounts must be maintained by a Chartered Accountant, with an annual statement of income and expenditure published by May 31.
About Punjab State (Development and Promotion of Sports) Act 2024:
i.A five-member committee: To select the team & players for district or state representation, consisting of the General Secretary, 2 Senior Coaches and 2 Eminent players.
ii.A Dispute Resolution Committee: Formed under the Deputy Commissioner or Administrative Secretary will address player appeals within 7 days.
iii.A five-member Sexual Harassment Committee: Formed at the district level by the District Magistrate, consisting of 3 female and 2 male members from the Executive Committees of Sports Associations.
iv.A State level committee will be formed by the Administrative Secretary of the Sports Department.
- Committees may take ‘suo-moto’ (on its own motion) notice of incidents.
v.Sports Calendar:Sports Associations must upload their activity calendars by March 31 each year while the Department of Sports will finalize the calendar within 30 days.
About National State Policy (NSP) 2024:
i.The Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), New Delhi (Delhi) is framing the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2024 to promote sports excellence and development in India.
ii.The NSP 2024, building on the existing 2001 policy aims to foster global sports achievement, economic growth and social progress.
iii.It focuses on nation building through sports and aligning with the “Viksit Bharat” vision launched by the Government of India (GoI).
Key Initiatives: Khelo India Scheme, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and National Sports Governance Bill 2024 for transparency in sports federations.
About National Sports Governance Bill, 2024:
The National Sports Governance Bill 2024 issued by the MYAS aims to address the long standing issues of factionalism and mismanagement within National Sports Federations (NSFs) providing a solutions in restoring transparency and accountability in the sports bodies.
About Punjab:
Capital-Chandigarh
Chief Minister (CM)- Bhagwant Singh Mann
Governor- Gulab Chand Kataria
Airports- Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport,Bathinda Airport, Sahnewal Airport
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
World Malaria Report 2024: India achieves 69% drop in Malaria Cases
In December 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its “World Malaria Report 2024 : Addressing inequity in the global malaria response”, highlighting a concerning increase in the global malaria cases. This year’s report provides an up-to-date summary to control and eliminate the disease in 83 countries worldwide.
- India has made notable development in combating malaria as revealed in the World Malaria Report 2023 by the WHO.
- India had exited the High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group due to significant progress in 2024. Between 2017 and 2023, malaria cases in India decreased by 69%, from 6.4 million to 2 million while deaths reduced by 68% from 11,100 to 3,500.
i.The WHO’s World Malaria Report 2024 reveals that in 2023, the majority of malaria deaths occurred in 4 countries: Nigeria (30.9%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (11.3%), Niger (5.9%) and Tanzania (4.3%)
ii.As of November 2024, 44 countries and one territory (Cabo Verde) have been certified malaria free by WHO, with several others on track to achieve this status.
>> Read Full News
India, France and UAE Conducted Trilateral Air Exercise ‘Desert Knight 2024’ over Arabian Sea
The Indian Air Force (IAF), the France Air and Space Force (FASF) and the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) have conducted their trilateral air combat exercise ‘Desert Knight 2024’ over the Arabian Sea for three days from 11 to 13 December 2024 to enhance their defence cooperation. It was the 2nd trilateral exercise of 2024.
- The aim of the exercise was to enhance synergy and interoperability among the air forces of the three countries.
Participants:
i.The IAF participated with aircraft, Sukhoi-30MKIs and Jaguars, supported by IL-78 mid-air refuellers and AEW&C (airborne early-warning and control) systems, operating from Jamnagar, Gujarat.
ii.French Rafale jets and UAE’s F-16 fighters were stationed at the Al Dhafra airbase in the UAE.
About Desert Knight 2024:
i.The “large force engagement” exercise showcased intense combat exercise conducted around 350-400 kilometer(km) southwest of Karachi, over the Arabian Sea.
ii.This exercise focused on countering both traditional and non-traditional security challenges on the high seas.
iii.The “Desert Knight” exercise expands on the trilateral framework set up in 2022 by the foreign ministers of India, France, and the UAE.
- This partnership covers cooperation in areas such as defence, technology, energy, and the environment, as detailed in an ambitious roadmap.
iv.India has a strong strategic partnership with France through regular joint exercises like Shakti, Varuna, and Garuda, and growing defence ties with the UAE through exchanges, training, and participation in the Desert Flag exercise in the Persian Gulf region.
About France:
President – Emmanuel Macron
Capital – Paris
Currency – the Euro(EUR)
BANKING & FINANCE
SEBI Mandated MF Companies to Process Cancellations of SIP in 2 Days
In December 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) mandated all Mutual Fund (MF) companies to reduce the processing time for cancelling their Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) to 2 working days from the previous 10 working days.
- This new timeline for cancellation of SIPs has come into effect from December 1, 2024.
i.As per the new norms, it is now mandatory for all Asset Management Companies (AMCs) to adhere to the two–day time frame for the cancellation of SIP, irrespective of whether SIP was registered online or offline.
ii.Investors can cancel their SIPs through websites of AMCs, Register and Transfer Agents (RTAs), exchanges and other channel partners.
>> Read Full News
Edelweiss Mutual Fund Launches India’s 1st ETF for Capital Markets and Insurance Sectors
In December 2024, Edelweiss Mutual Fund, a leading asset management company, introduced India’s first Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) focused on the capital markets and insurance sectors.
- The New Fund Offer (NFO) was opened for subscription on December 10 2024 with a minimum subscription amount of Rs. 5,000. The post NFO investments can be made in multiples of Re. 1.
- It will close on December 24 2024 and will reopen for continuous sale and repurchase on January 8.
i.The Edelweiss Financial Services Limited’s Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Capital Markets & Insurance ETF aims to replicate and track the BSE Capital Markets & Insurance Total Return Index (TRI), which includes top companies in broking, life, general insurance and financial product distribution.
ii.The scheme will be benchmarked against BSE Capital Markets & Insurance TRI and will be managed by Bhavesh Jain.
iii.The fund’s diversified portfolio is divided between capital markets (47.21%) & insurance (52.79%). The portfolio comprises capital market firms, life insurance, general insurance, & distributors of financial products.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
BMW Group and UNICEF Partner to Enhance Education in India
In December, 2024, Munich(Germany) based Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) Group and New York(the United States of America,USA) based United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have collaborated in India to transform the educational landscape for 100,000 children across four states: Assam, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu (TN), and West Bengal (WB).
- The program emphasizes developing foundational learning skills and promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education from early childhood through adolescence.
i.This collaboration is part of a larger global partnership between the BMW Group and UNICEF, which aims to support over 10 million children annually through education and training in countries like South Africa (SA), Brazil, Mexico and Thailand.
ii.In India, they will focus on nurturing foundational literacy and numeracy skills in rural primary schools to build a solid cognitive foundation for children.
iii.UNICEF will create specialized training programs for teachers, equipping them with modern STEM teaching methods.
- Quality STEM education will be provided to adolescent girls from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) and Tribal Ashramshalas. The program aims to empower girls from disadvantaged groups by bridging gender gaps in education.
Note: BMW Group, headquartered in Munich, Germany, encompasses four renowned brands: BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad.
CSC e-Governance signs MOU with CAIT to Enroll Traders and Citizens in Social Security Schemes
In December 2024, Common Services Centres(CSC) e-Governance Services India Limited, operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), a traders’ body based in New Delhi(Delhi) at the Constitution Club of India (CCI), New Delhi.
- This partnership aims to enroll traders and citizens into various government Social Security Schemes(SSSs) by organizing dedicated camps.
i.The collaboration will help empower traders and citizens across India by facilitating their registration in key social security programs, including: National Pension System (NPS), Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan Yojana (PM-SYM), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi Scheme (PM SVANidhi), DigiPay Sakhi and Pradhan Mantri (PM) Vishwakarma Yojana.
ii.CSC SPV will work alongside CAIT to set up camps, directly connecting traders and the public with these schemes.
Note: New Delhi based CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd was established in 2009.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
WTA Awards 2024: Aryna Sabalenka wins WTA Player of the Year 2024 for the 1st time 
On December 9 2024, Belarusian tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka, currently ranked world No. 1 in singles was honoured with the “2024 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Player of the Year Award” taking the crown for the 1st time in her career. She has won 23 career titles, 17 in singles and 6 in doubles.
- WTA has announced the 2024 WTA Player Award winners including 5 Players Awards and 3 Player Service Awards.
List of 2024 WTA Awards:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Player of the Year | Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) |
| Doubles Team of the Year | Jasmine Paolini (Italy) & Sara Errani(Italy) |
| Most Improved Player of the Year | Emma Navarro (the United States of America (USA)) |
| Newcomer of the Year | Lulu Sun (New Zealand) |
| Comeback Player of the Year | Paula Badosa (Spain) |
About Women’s Tennis Association (WTA):
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Portia Archer
Headquarters- Florida, the United States of America (USA)
Established- 1973
>> Read Full News
TIME Magazine Named US President-elect Donald Trump as ‘Person of the Year’ for 2024
On December 12 2024, New York (the United States of America (USA))–based TIME magazine has named US President-elect Donald Trump as its Person of the Year for 2024, recognising his deep influence on American politics and the country’s role in the world.
- He was previously named TIME’s Person of the Year in 2016 following his 1st victory in the US Presidential elections at the time.
i.Caitlin Clark (22 years-old), American basketball player has been named as the TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2024.
ii.Lisa Tzwu-Fang Su, CEO and Chair of Advanced Micro Devices Inc.(AMD), a semiconductor design company has been named as the TIME Magazine’s CEO of the Year for 2024.
About TIME Magazine:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Jessica Sibley
Headquarters- New York, United States of America (USA)
Created in- 1923
>> Read Full News
President of India Droupadi Murmu Conferred National Panchayat Awards to 45 Exemplary Panchayats & Institutes
On December 11 2024, The Hon’ble President of India Droupadi Murmu conferred National Panchayat Awards 2024 upon 45 awardees including 42 Panchayats and 3 Capacity Building Institutes, selected across different categories for their outstanding contributions to sustainable and inclusive development.
- The event was organised by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoR) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Delhi.
i.This year total 1.94 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) participated in the competition. Among 42 award-winning Panchayats, 42% are being led by women.
ii.The Panchayats were assessed based on their performance across various 9 Localisation Sustainable Development Goals (LSDG) themes, and they were evaluated by various committees , from the Block to the National level to ensure a fair and transparent process.
iii.Total Rs 46 crore was distributed as prize money to 45 awardees, with amount directly transferred to their respective bank accounts.
About Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR):
Union Minister- Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh (Constituency- Munger, Bihar)
Minister of State (MoS) – S.P. Singh Baghel (Constituency- Agra, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>> Read Full News
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Indian Army Receives AT-15 Drones from Asteria Aerospace
In December 2024, Bengaluru(Karnataka) based Asteria Aerospace Limited successfully delivered its largest ever batch of ArmaLite Rifle (AT)-15 Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) drones to the Indian Army (IA). It enhances India’s self-reliance in defence under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
- These drones are launched under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), provide cutting-edge surveillance capabilities tailored for modern warfare.
i.The AT-15 features a unique blended wing design for enhanced aerodynamics, enabling it to operate at altitudes up to 6,000 meters(m).
ii.With a range of 20 kilometers (kms) and a flight time of 120 minutes, it excels in long-duration reconnaissance missions.
iii.The drone’s electro-optical and infrared payload ensures high-quality intelligence gathering in diverse lighting conditions.
iv.It was built entirely from composite materials, the AT-15 is durable yet portable, ideal for deployment in challenging terrains.
SPORTS
U-19 Men’s Asia Cup 2024 – Bangladesh beats India by 59 runs
Bangladesh defeated India in the finals by 59 runs to win their 2nd consecutive Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under (U)-19 Men’s Asia Cup title. The Final was held on 8th December 2024 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- The 11th edition of the tournament was held from 29th November to 8th December 2024 in Sharjah and Dubai, UAE.
- Bangladesh won their first U-19 Men’s Asia Cup in 2023 by defeating UAE by 195 runs.
Key Points:
i.India has been the most successful team to have won 8 titles in this tournament- 1989, 2003, 2012, 2013/14, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021 respectively.
ii.The Indian team was captained by Mohamed Amaan while the team of Bangladesh was captained by Azizul Hakim Tamin.
iii.8 nations participated in this competition, of 15 matches including the group stages and knockouts.
iv.The participants included 5 Asian full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) —India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh as well as the three associate members—UAE, Japan, and Nepal who were selected through regional competitions.
Awards:
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Player of the Tournament | Iqbal Hasan Emon (Bangladesh) (13 wickets) |
| Player Of the Match | Iqbal Hasan Emon (Bangladesh) (3/24) |
| Most runs in the tournament | Shahzaib Khan (Pakistan) (336 runs) |
| Most wickets in the tournament | Iqbal Hasan Emon (Bangladesh) (13 wickets) |
About U-19 Asia Men’s Cup:
i.The ACC Under-19 Asia Cup or the U-19 Asia Cup, is a 50-over cricket tournament, organized by the Asian men’s under-19 national cricket teams of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) members.
ii.It was first held in 1989 in Bangladesh where India won the tournament.
About Asian Cricket Council (ACC):
President– Shammi Silva
Headquarters – Colombo, Sri Lanka
Founded – 1983, New Delhi
Lando Norris wins F1 Abu Dhabi GP as McLaren secure constructors’ title 
In December 2024, British racer Lando Norris of McLaren (25 points) has won the season-ending Formula 1 (F1) Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (GP) 2024 which was held at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- This victory has led McLaren to secure its first F1 Constructors’ title since 1998 (after 26 years).
Key Points:
i.Carlos Sainz (Spain) (18 points) and Charles Leclerc (Monaco) (15 points) of Ferrari secured 2nd and 3rd spot , respectively, for Ferrari which was the only team that could have beaten McLaren to the championship.
ii.This was the 4th victory for Lando Norris in the 2024 season. The other three being – Miami GP, Netherlands GP and Singapore GP.
- He finished runner-up behind Max Verstappen in the 2024 Drivers’ World Championship.
iii.British racer Lewis Hamilton (12 points) bagged the 4th spot in his last race for Mercedes before joining Ferrari in 2025.
iv.British racer George Russell(10 points) of Mercedes secured the 5th spot while Dutch Belgian racer Max Verstappen (Red Bull) (8 points) secured the 6th spot respectively.
About Lando Norris:
i.Lando Norris made his F1 debut in the 2019 Australian GP.
ii.He achieved his first podium in Formula One at the 2020 Austrian GP, his first pole position at the 2021 Russian and his first win at the 2024 Miami GP.
iii.As of the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP, Lando Norris has achieved 4 race wins, 9 pole positions, 12 fastest laps and 26 podiums in F1.
- He is set to remain at McLaren until at least the end of the 2027 season.
Results:
| Rank | Racer | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris (McLaren) | 25 |
| 2 | Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) | 18 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) | 15 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) | 12 |
| 5 | George Russell (Mercedes) | 10 |
About Abu Dhabi Grand Prix(GP):
i.The Abu Dhabi GP is a F1 motor racing event. Abu Dhabi GP 2024 was the 24th and final race of the 2024 FI World Championship.
ii.The first race took place on 1st November 2009.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Three Books on Sitaram Yechury’s Writings on culture, media, and secularism Launched
In December 2024, former CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat released the three books based on late Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury’s writings on culture, media, science and secularism at Jawahar Bhawan in New Delhi (Delhi).
- These books, published posthumously by the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT) based in New Delhi and Tulika Books. These books are available in both Hindi and English.
i.One of the books, ‘Hindu Rashtra Hai Kya’, is a Hindi translation of Yechury’s influential 1993 work What is Hindu Rashtra, written shortly after the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
- The other two books are ‘The Fight for the Republic’, which includes essays on Hindutva and India @75, and ‘Reflections on Culture, Media, and Science’.
ii.Sitaram Yechury, born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN), was a prominent CPI(M) leader and former Rajya Sabha Member. He passed away on September 12, 2024, leaving a lasting impact on Indian political thought.
STATE NEWS
TCGL signs MoU with BodhiGaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute for Conservation Promotion of Buddhist Heritage Sites in Gujarat
In December 2024, the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Bihar-based BodhiGaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute to conserve and promote Buddhist heritage sites in the state.
- The MoU was signed in the presence of the Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel and the 4th Mekong Ganga Dhamma Yatra delegation members in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- The MoU has been signed for cooperation in the conservation and development of Buddhist tangible and intangible heritage in Gujarat and for global promotion of places of Buddhist circuit in the state.
About 4th Mekong Ganga Dhamma Yatra:
i.The 4th Mekong Ganga Dhamma Yatra began in Bangkok, Thailand, and its delegation visited different places in India from 2-10 December 2024.
- The Yatra aims to promote Buddhism’s teachings worldwide, raise environmental awareness, and encourage peace.
ii.As part of their trip, the delegation also visited the Buddhist archaeological site at Dev Ni Mori in north Gujarat.
iii.This historic journey from Thailand to India seeks to strengthen the cultural and spiritual connections between the Mekong and Ganga civilizations.
Gujarat CM launches three booklets titled ‘Seva Sankalp Na Be Varsh‘:
In December 2024, the CM of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel launched three booklets titled ‘Seva Sankalp Nu Ek Varsh’, highlighting the state government’s achievements under the Department of Water Resources, Water Supply, and Food & Civil Supply (DoWR, WS & FCS).
About the booklets:
i.The booklet showcases detailed information on various public welfare schemes implemented in the past year under the leadership of Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya, MoWR, WS, and FCS.
ii.It highlights the ‘Saune Anna, Saune Poshan’ scheme, along with the achievements of other initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).
iii.The book has outlined the successes of initiatives focused on improving the Sauni, Sujalam Suflam Yojana, and groundwater storage in both remote areas of the state and the Saurashtra-Kutch region.
Note: The Department of Water Supply has initiated projects worth Rs. 969.34 crore and ensured a reliable drinking water supply to the rural populations of 1,096 villages.
HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Launched Six New Schemes
In December 2024, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Chief Minister (CM) of Himachal Pradesh (HP), launched six new initiatives and provided financial assistance to beneficiaries during an event in Bilaspur, HP.
- To promote natural farming, the CM introduced “Him Bhog Atta” made from maize grown using natural farming practices. The state government procured 398 metric tonnes (MT) from 1,506 farmers, and transferred Rs 1.20 crore directly to their bank accounts.
- Under the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana (MMSAY), Rs 1.90 crore was distributed to 197 beneficiaries in Bilaspur, covering pensions, housing grants, education, marriage aid, and vocational training to support vulnerable families.
Six new initiatives:
i.Rajiv Gandhi Natural Farming Start-up Scheme 2024: With a Rs 680 crore budget, the scheme promotes natural farming by integrating 36,000 new farmers.
ii.Organic Compost Purchase Scheme: The CM announced a scheme to purchase organic compost a and vermi compost at Rs 300 per quintal (q).
- Payments of Rs 1 lakh were transferred to 100 farmers via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
iii.Electric Taxi (e-Taxi) Scheme for Self-Employment: Under the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme 2023, 16 e-taxi owners received keys and a 50% subsidy, with vehicles leased to government offices for stable income.
- The state plans to provide permits to 150 e-taxi owners in the first phase.
iv.Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana 2024: Launched to support education for children of widows, destitute women, divorced women, and disabled parents.
- With an annual budget of Rs 53.21 crore, it provides Rs 1,000 monthly for children under 18 years and covers higher education expenses.
v.HP Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation, and Value Addition Project (HP Shiva): The CM also inaugurated the Rs 1,292 crore HP Shiva Project to develop 6,000 hectares for growing fruits like oranges, guavas, and litchis across seven districts.
- By 2032, it aims to produce 1.3 lakh MT of fruit annually, valued at Rs 400 crore.
vi.Mobile Ayush Healthcare Units: Five mobile Ayush healthcare units were flagged off to serve remote areas like Kinnaur, Lahaul & Spiti, Chamba, and Shillai block in Sirmaur, HP, offering Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathy treatments to underserved regions.
About Himachal Pradesh (HP):
Chief Minister (CM)- Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Governor– Shiv Pratap Shukla
Capital– Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala (Winter)
National Parks (NP)- Pin Valley NP, Khirganga NP
Rajasthan to Celebrate “Pravasi Rajasthani Divas” on December 10 Every Year
In December 2024, Chief Minister (CM) of Rajasthan, Bhajanlal Sharma announced that ‘Pravasi Rajasthani Divas’ will be celebrated every year on December 10 to honor the contributions of the global Rajasthani community.
- It was announced at the ‘Pravasi Rajasthani’ conclave held as part of the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit (RRGIS) which was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan from December 9 to December 11, 2024.
i.This day would strengthen the bond between expatriates and their homeland.
ii.He announced that the state government has decided to confer the ‘Pravasi Rajasthani Samman‘ to outstanding Rajasthanis living abroad.
iii.He also announced the formation of a separate department to look after the welfare of migrants and address their issues.
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